The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-07-23

Col. John Thomas Matthias, the fatherin-
law of Attorney General Roberts, died at the
residence of his sister. in-law, Mrs. w. W.
Dallas, on East Green street, on Saturday
morning last, after an illness ofseveral months.
COL Matthias was born in Westminster on the
nineteenth of February, 1915. His father,
Major Jacob Matthias, was the first president
of the Farmers and Mechanics Bank of this
city. Col. Matthias spent his boyhood in his
native town, and when young man he moved
to Pittsburg, Pa, and in 1888 married Miss
Mary L. Shorb, daughter of Anthony Shorb,
of the firm of Lyon, Shorb 4 Co., iron manu-
facturers of that city. of which firm he after
ward became u member. continuing in it until
the time of his death. After his marriage he
went to Tyrone FORCES, Pa, where he resided
until 1858, managing the iron works Of his
firm He then went to Baltimore, where he
remained until 1870, in which year he re-
moved to Westminster, and resided here from
that time until the day of his death. Until
recently his home was made with his son-in-
law, Hon Chas B. Roberts. He was man
of rare culture and fine literary ability, de-
voting much of his time to journalistic and
literary work. For a number Of years he was
a constant contributor to the editorial columns
of the Catholic Mirror and the Metropolitan,
of Baltimore, and other reviews. He con
tributed series of articles upon the tariff and
other subjects to the National Intelligencer,
and other journals. He was a fine linguist,
his knowledge of Latin, Greek, Spanish, Ger
man and Italian being most thorough. His
library, which comprises between five and six
thousand volumes, is among the most valu
able and complete in the state. Whilst Col.
Matthias serious illness continued only dur
ing the few months previous to his death, he
was for a number of years past valetudi-
marian, at no tine enjoying good health.
Notwithstanding his failing health, he was
always the same genial, courteous gentleman,
with pleasant word for everyone. From his
modest demeanor, few, except those intimate
ly acquainted with him, were aware of the
vast store house of knowledge that was his.
He was most interesting and entertaining
conyersationa6st. ever ready to give informa-
ton 10 those who sought it, but never in the
remotest sense obtrusive. His comprehensive
mind and acute intellect would have guaran-
teed him successful life in any of the pro-
fessions, and especiallyin that of a journalist,
for which he possessed exceptional quali6ca-
tons. His wife and five children survive him.
His children are Mrs Annie NJ. Roberts, wife
of Hon. Chas. b. Roberts, of this city; Mrs.
Agnes Dugan, wife of Pierre c. DUNCAN, of
Baltimore; Mrs. Mary F., wife of DIR. VIM.
Lee, of Baltimore; John A. Matthias, of Chi
cago, Ill.,, and Miss Lousie S. Matthias, ofthis
city. In religion he was Catholic, in poll,
tics Democrat. His funeral took place on
Monday morning. A solemn high mass was
said at St. Johns Catholic Church in this
city, after which the remains were taken to
Baltimore and interment made at Holy Cross
cemetery.
The body, accompanied by large number
of relatives and friend, was taken to Balti-
more on the Blue Mountain express. The
pail bearers were Hon. John L. Smith, DR..
Joshua W. Herring, Henry Vanderford, Col.
VIM. P. Maulsby, Samuel Cover, Edward
Lynch, f. o. Grimes and John L. Reifsnider.